Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO) is an East Bay nonprofit best known for working with educators and kids to improve educational outcomes for young Black men. That the organization works hard to make that process as engaging, inventive and dope as possible gets less attention — but it’s a huge reason for KOO’s success.
On Feb. 23, KOO will finally let its ingeniously creative side shine bright — so bright, in fact, that it needs a big screen.
Held at Oakland’s New Parkway Theater, the KOO Film Festival will honor Black History Month with 18 short films by people involved with the organization’s programs. With a mixture of music videos, behind-the-scenes making-of summaries, and profiles of educators and students who’ve and made a difference in their communities, the evening celebrates Black animators, musicians, creators and everyone who’s made Kingmakers of Oakland what it is.
One film in the program is the music video for “I’m a King,” an empowering three-minute anthem featuring Basi, Amari, 42k Lil and Anti Hero 510. The accompanying visuals juxtapose historical figures like Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X with thriving young men working together and finding their power today.
The track and video perfectly encapsulate the work that KOO does; certain lyrics even explain the importance of the organization’s mission. Sample: “I read this book on Marcus Garvey and I loved it / But the crazy thing about all them schools being public / Is that my teachers made it seem like all that Black lit was radical.”
“I’m a King” and the animated video “Glisten” — which also screens at the festival — are both taken from Full Royalty, a 14-track album by Kingmakers of Oakland that’s available to stream and download now.
The KOO Film Festival takes place Friday, Feb. 23, at the New Parkway Theater (474 24th Street, Oakland) at 5 p.m. Tickets and more details here.
